My home-made bike w e-bay no-name CF frame -- I love It!

So I bought a carbon fiber MTB frame from China on E-bay. I had researched it a little and found that serious MTBers (which I am not) have been using these frames with no problem. I was out to built a hybrid, not a serious off-road bike. Frame, CF seat post, head set and CF handle bars just over $400! I took parts off of an entry-level Giant hardtail and swapped around some other parts I had weighing stuff as I went. The CF frame does, indeed, seem to absorb bumps remarkably well, so I swapped the tires for faster 26 x 1.25 at 80-90 psi. The bike handles potholes and going over curbs nicely even with the fork locked out. Last of all, I had to have my favorite sign artist decorate it, which is why I didn't post a picture sooner. I have a CF road frame on order from the same dude in China and will cannibalize a couple of other bikes to build a flat bar with CF fork that will be even a little lighter and faster.

Really cool Don. I like the flames!
Looks like you have a magic shine - do you like it?
I found it has been a really great headlamp.

The Magicshine kicks ass! Have to say, when we come back on our Thurs. night ride we have a short stretch on the Town Lake hike and bike trail. A lot of joggers coming the other way will cuss you out unless you turn the light down.

For sure!
The first night I had it I went out to the local ice cream shop to buy a 1/2 gal and on the way home I heard some kids on the side walk say - "was that a motor cycle?" referring to the brightness of the lamp. It was the MS that allowed me to keep doing my 6AM ride up until the first snow in December and to pick up when the ice was out in late March.

BTW - cool road frame - are you going to have it painted the same way as the other one?

"Of all the things I ever lost I miss my mind the most." Mark Twain
If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Looks good Don. It that your garage? It looks huge and clean too. A lift as well.

That is Don's Automotive www.donsautomotive.com which supports my hobbies and buys groceries. Maybe even retirement some distant day! Yes that was one of our lifts in the background. The youngsters were well caught up with the cars so they had the shop pretty clean at the time.

I have a smaller shop at home which has a lift also. That is primarily for the 1/4 mile dirt oval track racing hobby

For sure!
The first night I had it I went out to the local ice cream shop to buy a 1/2 gal and on the way home I heard some kids on the side walk say - "was that a motor cycle?" referring to the brightness of the lamp. It was the MS that allowed me to keep doing my 6AM ride up until the first snow in December and to pick up when the ice was out in late March.

BTW - cool road frame - are you going to have it painted the same way as the other one?

Yesterday I put 50 miles on it just wandering around wonderfully empty city streets. My riding is urban. Two things I look for: steep hills to climb, interesting alleyways. No serious off-road, but I do go on the local park trails.

So I bought a carbon fiber MTB frame from China on E-bay. I had researched it a little and found that serious MTBers (which I am not) have been using these frames with no problem. I was out to built a hybrid, not a serious off-road bike. Frame, CF seat post, head set and CF handle bars just over $400! I took parts off of an entry-level Giant hardtail and swapped around some other parts I had weighing stuff as I went. The CF frame does, indeed, seem to absorb bumps remarkably well, so I swapped the tires for faster 26 x 1.25 at 80-90 psi. The bike handles potholes and going over curbs nicely even with the fork locked out. Last of all, I had to have my favorite sign artist decorate it, which is why I didn't post a picture sooner. I have a CF road frame on order from the same dude in China and will cannibalize a couple of other bikes to build a flat bar with CF fork that will be even a little lighter and faster.

Here it is:

Got my SECOND e-bay CF frame. I built up a flat bar road bike with it. About 50 miles on it so far. Feels great. There is a MEGA difference in how it absorbs potholes etc. compared to the same wheels and tires on the Dawes aluminum bike I had been riding occasionally. I will post pictures after the artist does his thing.